D-Day 75th anniversary: Theresa May to highlight importance of western alliance as she hosts world leaders

Theresa May, pictured here alongside US President Trump last year, will highlight the importances of western alliances at the D-Day commemoration event
Reuters
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Theresa May is to call for continued Western unity in tackling "new and evolving security threats" as she commemorates the 75th anniversary of D-Day.

The Prime Minister will host 15 world leaders and representatives as they honour veterans of the largest amphibious military invasion in history at a national commemoration event in Portsmouth.

Representatives from every country that fought alongside the UK in Operation Overlord - the Battle of Normandy - will attend commemorations. The event will be the first time the UK has hosted so many world leaders outside a formal summit since the 2012 Olympics.

Speaking at the event on Wednesday, Mrs May will say: "The Normandy landings 75 years ago were a moment of historic international co-operation. And it is right that at the heart of today's commemorations are the veterans who fought to secure the liberty and the peace that we now enjoy.

75th Anniversary D-Day Commemorations - In pictures

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"The global challenges we face today are different in their origin and nature. But as we confront new and evolving threats to our security, it is more important than ever that we continue to stand together in upholding our shared values and way of life.

"That's why the UK has this week committed our Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers and F-35 fighter jets to support the efforts of Nato forces to preserve the security and collective defence of our allies.

"As I host leaders from around the world today to mark this significant moment in our shared history, we will together reflect on the continued importance of the Western alliance for all our countries' security and prosperity.

"And as we unite to pay tribute to those whose bravery and sacrifice on the beaches of Normandy marked a turning point in the Second World War, we will vow never to forget the debt we owe them.

"Their solidarity and determination in the defence of our freedom remains a lesson to us all. And we will continue to stand up for the values of democracy, justice and tolerance that so many died to preserve."

The event will be the first time the UK has hosted this many world leaders outside a formal summit since the 2012 Olympics.

Mrs May will be joined by US President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, as well as prime ministers from Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Greece, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Slovakia and Denmark.

The Queen, the Prince of Wales, members of the armed forces and more than 300 veterans who are all over 90 years old, are also to attend.

The event on Southsea Common in the Hampshire port city will include an hour-long production telling the story of the invasion with testimony from veterans, theatrical performances and live music, as well as a flypast of the Red Arrows and Spitfires.

As part of the performance, Mrs May will read a letter written by Captain Norman Skinner of the Royal Army Service Corps to his wife Gladys on June 3 1944.

The letter was in his pocket when he landed on Sword Beach on June 6 1944. He was killed the next day, leaving behind his wife and two young daughters.

The world leaders will then have a reception with the veterans before sitting down to discuss the continued importance of the Western alliance and security, a Downing Street spokeswoman said.

From the deck of the aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth, Mrs May and Defence Secretary Penny Mordaunt will then wave off some 300 veterans as they retrace the journey they made across the Channel 75 years ago, followed by a flotilla of Royal Navy vessels.

More than 4,000 personnel will be involved in D-Day events in the UK and France, in what is set to be one of the biggest mobilisations of the UK armed forces in recent history.

On Thursday, Mrs May will commemorate the anniversary in Normandy at the inauguration of a memorial to British servicemen at Ver-sur-Mer, overlooking Gold Beach, as well as attending services of remembrance at the cathedral and cemetery in Bayeux.

Additional reporting by PA

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